Tamil Nadu’s state-run universities are facing a severe administrative crisis, with 14 of the 22 public-funded institutions currently functioning without vice-chancellors (V-Cs) and two more expected to become headless within four months.
The universities, many of which serve as affiliating institutions for colleges, risk broader disruptions across the state’s higher education sector, warn academicians.
The number of universities without V-Cs would have already reached 16 if not for a one-year extension granted by Governor R.N. Ravi last week, allowing the incumbents at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University and Alagappa University to continue beyond their three-year tenures. The extension received mixed reactions, with some emphasizing the need for leadership rather than interim convenors’ committees, while others criticized the governor for limiting the state government’s role in university administration.
The state government recently asserted its authority to appoint V-Cs, supported by the Supreme Court’s order granting “deemed assent” to 10 bills removing the governor’s powers over appointments in 18 universities. However, the Madras High Court has stayed the operation of nine of these bills, leaving the issue unresolved.
Experts note that the governor can only extend V-C tenures if the university statutes allow it. For example, Thiruvalluvar University’s statute does not permit such extensions, preventing its V-C from continuing beyond the term.
The tenures of the V-Cs at Mother Teresa Women’s University (MTWU) and Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) will end in January 2026. While MTWU allows extensions, TNOU does not. By that time, T N Dr. MGR Medical University and T N Dr. J Jayalalithaa Fisheries University will be the only state universities under the governor’s chancellorship with V-Cs in place. Universities such as TN National Law University and TN Jayalalitha Music and Fine Arts University are not affected, as their chancellors are the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court and the state chief minister, respectively.
Academician S.P. Thyagarajan expressed concern over the leadership vacuum, warning that a prolonged absence of V-Cs could affect the quality of higher education. “Amid this fight of ego and politics, ultimately the students are paying the price. The state government and the governor need to resolve this issue,” he said.
P. Duraisamy, former V-C of the University of Madras, added that temporary convenors’ committees are limited to managing daily operations, while crucial activities such as recruitment, curriculum updates, certification, and financial clearances face significant delays.
(With inputs from The New Indian Express)
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